I think it’s pretty obvious that he’s drawing a line (in these interviews, at least) between American foreign policy and fascism. Iconography evocative of what’s nostalgically remembered as a heroic war against unambiguous evil, makes a point when transposed onto a conflict where the hegemonic power is fighting insurgents.

Pointedly, “when I did it” communicates that it’s not even really about Vietnam in particular, but the re-occurrence of Empire vs. rebels throughout history and the news cycle.

Not excluding that he is being revisionist here either way. It fits neatly into the themes of the prequels so it makes sense why he would recontextualize the whole project in that lens.